What is courage?

Courage in Australian usage is the willingness to face danger, difficulty, or moral challenge without being deterred by fear or hardship. It is celebrated in Australian military tradition, in emergency services, in Indigenous rights campaigns, in whistleblowing, and in personal moments where people stand up for what they believe is right.

Military courage is most prominently celebrated through the Victoria Cross for Australia, the country's highest military honour, awarded for the most conspicuous courage in the presence of the enemy. Ninety-eight Australians received the British Victoria Cross between 1900 and 1969, and four Australians have received the Victoria Cross for Australia since it was established in 1991 (Mark Donaldson, Ben Roberts-Smith, Daniel Keighran, and Cameron Baird, posthumously). The Anzac tradition more broadly celebrates physical courage shown by soldiers at Gallipoli, on the Western Front, in the Pacific theatre during the Second World War, in Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, and Afghanistan.

Civilian courage is honoured through awards including the Cross of Valour (the civilian equivalent of the Victoria Cross), the Star of Courage, the Bravery Medal, and the Commendation for Brave Conduct, all administered by the Australian Bravery Council. Emergency service personnel, members of the public who intervene in dangerous situations, and others who demonstrate exceptional courage in saving lives are eligible. The 2019 to 2020 Black Summer fires produced many bravery awards for firefighters and members of the public.

Moral courage is also celebrated. Whistleblowers including David McBride (Afghan Files), Richard Boyle (ATO debt recovery), and Bernard Collaery (East Timor spying) have faced criminal prosecution after disclosing wrongdoing in the public interest, with public debate about the adequacy of Australian whistleblower protections. Aboriginal rights campaigners including Charles Perkins, Eddie Mabo, Pat Dodson, and Linda Burney have shown moral courage across decades of advocacy for reconciliation. Sporting courage, including Adam Goodes' stand against racism in AFL during 2014 to 2015, and Cathy Freeman's lighting of the cauldron at the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, demonstrate courage outside formal military or emergency contexts.